Our procurement strategy and criteria for awarding tenders

Our procurement strategy sets out our approach to the use of competition and how it will procure works, goods and services. We have long been committed to open competition for the purchasing of supplies and large scale works in order to achieve cost-effective procurement and avoid allegations of corruption or favouritism. This has helped to achieve national recognition as a value for money organisation. 

Our procurement strategy will be published soon.

Criteria for tender award

Our established policy has favoured an award procedure based on the lowest price tender although, on occasions, the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) approach has been followed and may result in a decision to award the tender to a contractor who has not offered the lowest price. 

Where the basis of the award is MEAT the criteria and associated weighting for the award of all tenders must be simply and clearly stated in order of importance and, for the most part, will focus on tender price; the most common reason to award to a higher priced tenderer will relate to an evaluation of quality and technical merit.

UK procurement threshold

The government's procurement policy note provides UK procurement threshold levels that apply from 1 January 2022.

View our payments

You can view details of all payments the Council have made over £500 as part of our commitment to transparency.